Oh! Susanna
The song was introduced by a local quintette at a concert in Andrews' Eagle Ice Cream Saloon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
The song was introduced by a local quintette at a concert in Andrews' Eagle Ice Cream Saloon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
PUBLISHED: Dec 15, 2011 • UPDATED: Feb 7, 2020 • VIEWS: 40 • LESSON CODE: UL533 •
Oh! Susanna is a minstrel song by Stephen Foster (1826-1864). It was published by W. C. Peters & Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1848. The song was introduced by a local quintette at a concert in Andrews' Eagle Ice Cream Saloon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 11, 1847. Foster was said to have written the song for his men's social club. The name Susannah may refer to Foster's deceased sister Charlotte, whose middle name was Susannah. Glenn Weiser suggests the song was influenced by an existing work, "Rose of Alabama" (1846), with which it shares some similarities in lyrical theme and musical structure.
Oh! Susanna is a minstrel song by Stephen Foster (1826-1864). It was published by W. C. Peters & Co. in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1848. The song was introduced by a local quintette at a concert in Andrews' Eagle Ice Cream Saloon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on September 11, 1847. Foster was said to have written the song for his men's social club. The name Susannah may refer to Foster's deceased sister Charlotte, whose middle name was Susannah. Glenn Weiser suggests the song was influenced by an existing work, "Rose of Alabama" (1846), with which it shares some similarities in lyrical theme and musical structure.
Chords
This is a simple I V two chord song at its core. The V chord can be approached using its secondary dominant V of V II7 chord. I the key of C major the chord would be C and G7, with the G7 being approached using D7.
Melody
The melody is almost entirely comprised of the Major Pentatonic scale. The chorus starts on the root of the five (V) chord and is the only additional note that is not in the major pentatonic scale of the song.
Web Resources
Main Song Download(s)
The main downloads for this Song.
Oh! Susanne - Chord Lead Sheet
Updated: Dec 31, 2016
<p><strong>Oh! Susanne - Chord Lead Sheet</strong>. Suitable for situtitions where you already know the song and need the chords.</p>
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Song Road Map
Tips and tricks for remembering a song.
Remembering songs is all about the form and harmonic content and movement with taking in the similarities between songs. And, just like a road map they're landmarks that will trigger memories of how to get through various sections, changes or parts of a song.
This section of a song's page presents some tips on how I try and remember a particular song.
No Road Map for Oh! Susanna check back soon.
Related Lessons
Related Lessons for Oh! Susanna at this time.

Remembering Songs • Updated: Mar 19, 2019
Listening to songs and wanting to play the same songs on ukulele - that's what draws most people to the ukulele. That and it looks like a load of fun and easy too play - which it is. Then you need to actually remember the songs that you're learning so you can play them again. And, hopefully not have to read them off a sheet all the time.
Remembering a song is lot like remembering the directions for a road trip. There are the turn-by-turn directions, road maps, signs and landmarks that will get you to where you are going. Turn here, turn there, remember this and remember that landmark. With a songs it's the chords, the melody, style, the harmonic cells, the form, etc that are part of the song that you want to remember.

Playing by Ear - Chords • Updated: Oct 6, 2016
Playing chords, chord progressions, and songs by ear is all about getting your ear to recognize the sound of chords and chord progressions and just like melodies, train the fingers and the hand to follow your inner ear and play these chords, chord progressions, and songs on demand.
This training involves the mind, hands and ear. Of the three the hands always need the most work as they can't hear or understand anything - only what they have been trained to do so.

Playing by Ear - Rhythm • Updated: Jun 18, 2016
Playing rhythm by ear is all about getting your ear to recognize the sound of rhythm and just like melodies, train the fingers and the hands to follow your inner ear and play these rhythms on demand. Learning to play rhythms using a monotone, one note or sound is a lot easier to learn than learning to hear and play melodies.

Playing by Ear - The Ultimate Goal • Updated: Oct 8, 2015
The ultimate goal for any musician when playing a musical instrument is to "Play by Ear". It’s true whether you’re singing, banging a drum, strumming a guitar, or our favorite instrument, the ukulele. If your fingers can already interpret and follow what your inner ear commands, you’ve obtained your goal and are "Playing by Ear."
Additional Song Files, Resources and Assets
These are the related song files, resources and assets for Oh! Susanna at this time.
Oh! Susanne - Chord Lead Sheet
Updated: Dec 31, 2016
<p><strong>Oh! Susanne - Chord Lead Sheet</strong>. Suitable for situtitions where you already know the song and need the chords.</p>
Members Only
Log-in to access.
Related Books
Related Books for Oh! Susanna at this time.
Related Lesson Series
Related Lessons Series for Oh! Susanna at this time.
Reading Music on Ukulele - Primer
Updated: Jan 1, 2003
There are a few things in music that students and players avoid. These are things like learning to read and knowing the notes of their own instrument. It is hard on guitar - but not so hard on ukulele. With the right guidance and plan of attack. IT IS EASY.
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